Books to Add to Your Summer Reading List: Spotlight on Community Authors

With so many talented writers in our neuromuscular disease community, Quest Media is excited to share its third Spotlight on Community Authors. This series features a compilation of gifted and passionate authors sharing their stories, experiences, expertise, and imagination with readers of all ages.

Whether you’re looking for historical fiction, mystery thrillers, Biblical studies, personal memoirs, or disability representation in children’s books, this list has something for everyone. Happy summer reading!

The Maid of Gascony Series by Catherine Clover

Catherine Glover, who lives with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), is a San Fancisco Bay Area author of the historical fiction series The Maid of Gascony. The first two books of the series, The Templar’s Garden and Queen of Heaven, take place in England in the 1450s and follow the journeys of a young woman forced to fight for her beliefs and a chaplain with a secret that could determine the fate of a kingdom. Set amidst a period of grave uncertainty, the deftly plotted series follows the pilgrimage routes from Oxford to St. David’s in Wales and to Rome and back, with the main characters encountering assassins, pirates, and historical figures (including Lady Margaret Beaufort and Edmund Tudor) along the way. Catherine blends history with the riveting story of a woman who overcomes the restrictions placed on her gender to create a page-turning series.

Catherine’s interest in medieval history began at the age of 8, when she was given her first book on medieval knights and castles. From that young age, she was keen to learn more about medieval buildings and the lives of those who lived in and around them. This passion led her to complete her doctoral degree from Trinity College, Oxford, on the fortifications of English Gascony at the end of the Hundred Years War – and subsequently gave root to the creation of The Maid of Gascony series. Read more about The Templar’s Garden here and Queen of Heaven here.

Torn Branches by Ira Walker

Florida-based, forty-one-year-old Ira Walker, MDA National Ambassador alumni who lives with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Type II, is the author of the newly released fiction mystery-thriller novel, Torn Branches. The narrative describes the journey of Mason Robertson and his pursuit of success. When unforeseen challenges from his past lead him into difficult circumstances, his desire for success is overshadowed by the need to atone for previous mistakes. Throughout his journey of personal struggle, Mason encounters individuals whose own challenges provide him with insights into both the best and worst aspects of life. Set against the backdrop of the American South, Torn Branches examines how unresolved issues from one’s past can impact not only the individual but also those around them.

“For the past decade, I’ve been attempting to craft an entertaining mystery novel using my innate creative instincts,” Ira says. “Despite numerous attempts, they all fell short until two years ago when I finally tapped into a creative wellspring and produced what blossomed into my first book. This novel represents the realization of a lifelong aspiration and the beginning of many more novels that I aspire to write in the future. I wrote this book to prove to myself that my goals and ambitions are attainable with patience, dedication, and a willingness to push the boundaries of my creativity.”

Read more about Ira’s book here.

When Will the Suffering End? A Biblical Perspective on Suffering by Suzanne Stucky

Suzanne Stucky is a 61-year-old non-fiction author who lives with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), Sjogren’s syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and autonomic dysfunction. Her book, When Will the Suffering End? A Biblical Perspective on Suffering explores human suffering and long-term seasons of personal trials through thoughtful interpretation of biblical passages. It offers biblically grounded reflection on how Scripture speaks to unresolved suffering, pointing the reader to faithful hope without minimizing pain and grief.

“This book comes from decades of my own lived experience with progressive illness, combined with detailed study of scripture through my Master of Arts in Biblical Studies degree,” Suzanne says. “I wrote this book to help others like me remain faithful and find hope in the midst of their own ongoing trials.” Read more about her book here.

Chasing Justice and Butterflies: A Memoir of Overcoming and Becoming by Ed Barocas

In his memoir, Ed Barocas, 59, shares the many chapters of his story living with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) with warmth, wit, courage, and hard-won insight. Chasing Justice and Butterflies: A Memoir of Overcoming and Becoming, follows his inspiring and unforgettable journey transforming every constraint into possibility through creativity, humor, and resilience. He shares how his unconventional approach and attitude helped drive his success in becoming a prominent constitutional rights attorney and enabled him to build a life overflowing with music, outrageous adventure, spirituality, friendship, and abundant joy.

“I would love if this book could help inspire people, not just those with disabilities, but anyone, to face the obstacles in their life with hope and positivity,” Ed says. “A second theme of the book is about making sure life has meaning. For me, that meant taking a cue from my childhood hero, Horton the Elephant from Horton Hears a Who, who was a voice for the voiceless, which is why I was so passionate about being a lawyer and fighting for civil rights.” Read more about Ed’s story here.

I’m on a Journey to See You, Sam by Jack Waddington

Jack Waddington, a London-based 32-year-old, shares vulnerable and heartfelt insight into growing up with and grieving the loss of his brother, Sam, who lived with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Jack first began writing the memoir on the day that Sam passed away. Written as a series of diary entries addressed directly to Sam, Jack explores sibling grief, caregiving, joy and humor, love and loss, and his experience growing up alongside someone living with DMD. The raw and honest memoir is a documentation of family resilience, sibling guilt and grief, and Jack’s desire to preserve his brother’s memory and legacy through storytelling.

“I wrote this book as a way of staying in conversation with Sam, and to make sense of the experience of losing him,” Jack says. “It’s also about shining a light on sibling grief and the realities of growing up alongside someone with a disability.”

Read more about I’m on a Journey to See You, Sam here.

Curves in the Road and Nonna Says Dandelions Are… by Patty Connelly

Patty Connelly, a 64-year-old living with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) in Idaho, is the author of both a memoir and a children’s book. Her memoir, Curves in the Road: Happy Memories and Hurdles of a Physically Challenged Mom of Nine, chronicles her journey as a mother living with a disability. She shares the hurdles, happiness, and humor of parenting nine children with her husband, navigating FA, and always remembering that with God all things are possible. “I wrote this book to encourage those who have physical disabilities,” she says. “I hope that my story can show others that God has a purpose in everything.” Read more about Patty’s journey here.

Her second book, a children’s book titled Nonna Says Dandelions Are…, is the story of a spunky Little Boy who befriends a tearful Dandelion. Dandelion feels less-than because she is a weed, but Little Boy shares with her that his Nonna says dandelions are God’s favorite flower. The story encourages self-acceptance by finding strength inside the ordinary or overlooked. “I wrote this book to help others understand that we all have something important to give the world,” Patty says. Read more about Nonna Says Dandelions Are… here.

The Being Andrew Series by Shaquille Clark

This children’s book series Being Andrew is inspired by Shaquille Clark’s real-life experiences growing up with a disability. The series follows a young boy named Andrew as he navigates elementary school, friendships, confidence, and big dreams. The books focus on resilience, self-acceptance, community, and the message that a disability does not define a child’s future. Being Andrew helps children see representation, build self-esteem, and understand that differences can be a source of strength.

“As someone who grew up managing muscular dystrophy, representation in children’s literature was something I rarely saw,” the thirty-year-old, Los Angeles based author says. “I created the Being Andrew series so kids with disabilities could see themselves in stories and know that they are capable, confident, and powerful exactly as they are. These books are my way of giving children stories that reflect strength, possibility, and belonging.”

Check out each of the book titles in the Being Andrew Series:

• Being Andrew: It Starts at Home
• Being Andrew: First Day of School  
• Being Andrew: Playing My Way  
• Being Andrew: Side by Side  
• Being Andrew: When I Grow Up  

Kaelyn’s Different Kind of Strong by Kathryn Goodman

Forty-three-year-old Kathryn Goodman is a Navy veteran, mother, and author of the children’s book Kaelyn’s Different Kind of Strong. On her journey raising her nine-year-old daughter Kaelyn, who lives with congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS), Kathryn saw the need for a children’s book that could help explain life with a rare condition in a way that was relatable, empowering, and easy for other children to understand. She wrote this book to celebrate strength while also serving as a tool for kids to share with classmates, teachers, and friends to help build awareness, compassion, and inclusion for children living with CMS and other neuromuscular diseases.

Kaelyn’s Different Kind of Strong tells the heartwarming story of a young girl who learns that strength isn’t based on what you can do physically, but on courage, kindness, and never giving up. Through Kaelyn’s journey, readers gain a better understanding of life with a disability while also celebrating differences, building empathy, and recognizing that being unique is something to be proud of.

“I wrote this book to help children better understand CMS and to give kids like Kaelyn a story where they feel seen and included,” Kathryn says. “There aren’t many books that explain these differences in a way young readers and their classmates can understand. I wanted to create something that builds empathy, awareness, and pride in being different.”

Read more about Kaelyn’s Different Kind of Strong here.

The Teacher Who Taught Us We Can by Shelby Toole

This book is inspired by Shelby Toole’s own experience as an educator living with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) Type 2A. The 30-year-old, Kansas-based teacher wrote The Teacher Who Taught Us We Can to encourage children to believe in themselves, follow their dreams, and see ability before limitation. The shines a spotlight on resilience, representation, and showing students that challenges do not define what is possible.

In the story, first-grade students meet their new teacher on the first day of school and notice that she moves and teaches differently because of her disability. They are curious to learn more about what it means to have a disability. They discover that even though she is different, their teacher can do the same things as everyone else in her own unique way. With patience, love, and creativity, she shows her class that everyone has strengths, everyone has challenges, and everyone belongs. “I wrote this book to encourage students to follow their dreams despite any obstacle that they might face in life,” Shelby says.

Read more about Shelby’s children’s book here.

Adventures with The Hair & The Chair: Making Waves at Wonder Key by Jose and Andrea Flores

Married couple Jose and Andrea Flores co-wrote the children’s book Adventures with The Hair & The Chair: Making Waves at Wonder Key. The story follows the adventures of two best friends navigating accessibility challenges during a cruise to Wonder Key, demonstrating the power of self-advocacy, friendship, and inclusion.

“We wrote this book to help children grow up seeing inclusion and accessibility as normal, not different,” says Jose, an MDA Ambassador who lives with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and is also the author of Don’t Let Your Struggle Become Your Standard. “We want kids to feel confident in who they are, learn how to advocate for themselves, and understand that adventure truly is for everybody and every child deserves to see themselves as the hero of the story.”

Read more about Adventures with The Hair & The Chair here.